Circular motion with friction and banking - resultant forces

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a car traveling at a high speed around a circular track with specific parameters including mass, radius, angle of the track, and coefficient of friction. The original poster seeks to determine the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the car and driver.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply formulas related to friction and circular motion but expresses uncertainty about their derivation and correctness. They question whether they are omitting any forces in their calculations. Other participants clarify that the net force in uniform circular motion is represented by the centripetal force and suggest that the formulas presented are convoluted ways of arriving at the same result.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing clarifications about the nature of net forces in circular motion. There is recognition that the original poster may have arrived at the correct answer without fully understanding the underlying principles. Additional questions about free body diagrams and force calculations have been raised, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants are encouraged to start from a free body diagram to identify the forces acting on the car, which may help clarify the problem further. There is an emphasis on understanding the relationships between the forces rather than simply applying formulas.

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Homework Statement



A car travels 76 m/s around a circular track with a 111 m radius.

The car's mass is 2500 kg, the track is angled at 21°, and the coefficient of friction is 0.18.

What is the magnitude of the resultant force on the car and driver, expressed as kN?

The Attempt at a Solution



Double-checking my work here to see if I'm understanding this correctly.

If:
Fk = µ*Fn
Fn = mg/cosΘ
Fc = mv²/r

Then:
Fc = 130090.09 N
Fk = 4723.75 N

Which leaves me with two questions: Is the above correct, and what am I leaving out of the forces before summing them?

editing this to add: I've gotten a series of formulas that produce the correct answer, but I do not know where they are derived from. If anyone could help explain this, I'd appreciate it.[/color]

1. [tex]A = \frac {m(v^2cos\theta - grsin\theta)}{r}[/tex]

2. [tex]B = \frac {mg + Asin\theta}{cos\theta}[/tex]

3. [tex](\mbox{Answer expressed in kN}) = \frac {Acos\theta + Bsin\theta}{1000}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
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You're going around your butt to get to your elbow. ;-)

If an object is moving in uniform circular motion, the NET force on that object must be equal to (mv^2)/r. You have this value recorded as Fc. You should note that Fc is NOT a single force, but rather is the NET force on the object in question.

The three formulas you've listed end up spitting out the exact same value as Fc, although in a very convoluted way.
 
CaptainZappo said:
You're going around your butt to get to your elbow. ;-)

If an object is moving in uniform circular motion, the NET force on that object must be equal to (mv^2)/r. You have this value recorded as Fc. You should note that Fc is NOT a single force, but rather is the NET force on the object in question.

The three formulas you've listed end up spitting out the exact same value as Fc, although in a very convoluted way.

Oh wow, you're right - what I did in the first 30 seconds answered the problem, but I didn't know I actually had the answer. I had to call someone in class with me who was given that formula system by a physics tutor.

That's... definitely something. :shy:
 
hallo exi may you explain the set of fomulas listed below the senteces in red...@all...i have a problem in calculatiion of forces in a free body diagram...any body who can help?
 
We have to start from a FBD.

Try to find the forces which act on the car.
 

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